HomeMy WebLinkAboutE.18 - Staff Report - Finding of Public Benefit - AHS Baseball TeamCONSENT ITEM
E-18
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VIA: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER
FROM: TALEEN NAZARIAN, MANAGEMENT ANALYST
DATE: JULY 21, 2025
SUBJECT: FINDING OF PUBLIC BENEFIT AND APPROVAL OF SPECIAL ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM APPLICATION AND FUND DISBURSEMENT TO THE AZUSA HIGH
SCHOOL BASEBALL PROGRAM
BACKGROUND:
The City’s Special Assistance Program was established to support local community-based organizations,
non-profits and campus-recognized clubs that serve a public benefit to the community at-large. The
Program has a complete set of guidelines and criteria for awarding financial assistance to organizations in
the form of small donations that encourage enrichment programs and opportunities for Azusa residents.
The City receives funds for this program each year from the sale of ‘Safe and Sane Fireworks, as each
participating community and non-profit organization engaged in fireworks booth sales donates $500 as
part of their vendor application.
The proposed action will approve a Special Assistance Program application for expenditures in the amount
of $500 to the Azusa High School Baseball Program. Nominated by Mayor Robert Gonzales through the
Special Assistance Program’s Councilmember Nomination Form, this contribution recognizes the Azusa
High School Baseball Team’s volunteer efforts at the City’s Compost and Mulch Giveaway Event held in
April 2025, while recognizing the organization’s crucial need for funding to offset high program costs.
The Councilmember Nomination Form provides Azusa City Councilmembers greater flexibility in
nominating eligible organizations involved in community service projects that provide a direct community
benefit.
Approved
City Council
July 21, 2025
Finding of Public Benefits
July 21, 2025
Page 2
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff Recommends that the City Council take the following actions:
1) Approve $500 of Special Assistance funds to the Azusa High School Baseball Program for
program expenses; and
2) Make a finding that the community at large will receive a public benefit from the expenditure of
funds for the recommended items.
ANALYSIS:
Community groups and organizations often request funding assistance from the City for special programs
or services they provide to the community. The Special Assistance Program was designed for community
groups and organizations dedicated to providing educational enrichment opportunities to Azusa youth to
create skilled and capable individuals in a variety of disciplines, and to financially assist eligible groups
in developing programs diversifying experiences for the community. Eligible community groups and
organizations can apply for funding of up to $500. Through City Council’s approval in Fall 2024, the
Special Assistance Program was amended to increase contribution amounts granted to community
organizations from $200 to up to $500.
The Councilmember Nomination Form was introduced in Summer 2025 to allow Azusa City
Councilmembers greater flexibility in nominating eligible local or non-profit organizations to receive a
Special Assistance grant for crucial program funding, in recognition of a completed community service
project that directly benefits the Azusa community.
Through the Councilmember Nomination Form, Mayor Robert Gonzales nominated the Azusa High
School Baseball Program for a $500 grant in recognition of the team’s volunteer labor efforts at the City’s
annual Compost and Mulch Giveaway on April 5, 2025, at Memorial Park. The grant would offset the
high costs of new uniforms, equipment, safety gear, and other items. The Azusa High School Baseball
program plays a valuable role in fostering life skills that extend beyond the field. The program helps
student-athletes develop critical skills that support long-term academic and professional success,
justifying the use of Special Assistance Program funds to support the well-being and continued growth of
the program and its participants.
These actions approve the finding of public benefit and recommended expenditure of $500 to the Azusa
High School Baseball Program. Staff recommends approval of the application and an expenditure in the
amount of $500 in accordance with program guidelines.
Finding of Public Benefits
July 21, 2025
Page 3
FISCAL IMPACT:
Trust account (50-08-000-141-2718) was established to administer donations that the City receives from
non-profit and community organizations engaged in sales of ‘safe and sane fireworks’. Donations received
in this account are specifically reserved for funding requests from the Special Assistance Program. The
current available balance on the account is $30,028.45 and, upon Council approval, Staff will appropriate
$500.00 from this account for the recommended action.
Prepared by: Reviewed by:
Taleen Nazarian Nico De Anda-Scaia
Management Analyst Deputy City Manager
Reviewed and Approved:
Sergio Gonzalez
Manager
Attachment:
1) Special Assistance Program: Councilmember Nomination Form
Special Assistance Program
Councilmember Nomination Form
The City of Azusa’s Special Assistance Program provides one-time grants of up to $500 to eligible non-profit
organizations and campus-recognized clubs that serve Azusa youth. This nomination form allows City
Councilmembers to recommend qualified organizations that align with the spirit of community service and
enrichment. For a complete list of eligibility requirements and qualifying organizations for the Special Assistance
Program, please visit www.azusaca.gov/2225/Special-Assistance-Program. If you have any questions, please contact Taleen Nazarian at (626)
633-4314 or via email at taleen.nazarian@azusaca.gov.
Councilmember Information
Name *
Mayor Robert Gonzales
E-mail *
robert.gonzales@azusaca.gov
Phone Number *
626.391.9672
Organization Being Nominated
Title/Position of Primary Contact
Head Coach
Organization/Club Name *
Azusa High School Baseball Team
Primary Contact Person *
Albert Sanchez
E-mail *
azusahsbaseball@gmail.com
Phone Number *
626.545.1242
Address *
Street Address
240 N Cerritos Ave.
Address Line 2
City
Azusa
State/Province/Region
CA
Postal/Zip Code
91702
Country
USA
Is the organization a 501(c) non-profit or school-recognized club?*
Yes No
Proposed Use of Funds
Explain the community benefit provided by this organization. Additionally, provide a description of how the organization would utilize the
$500 grant. The program must benefit Azusa youth through education, extracurricular activities, cultural events, arts, or sports.
*
The Azusa High School Baseball Program is a storied program based on the talented academic athletes that represent the Azusa Unified
SchoolDistrict. The Special Assistance Grant would help defray the high costs associated with program management and allow the team to compete
at thehighest level. It will also be used for new uniforms, equipment, safety gear, and miscellaneous items required to run the program.
Community Benefit
Is this nomination part of a service project or initiative?*
Yes No
If yes, please provide a description of the project and its impact.
The Azusa High School Baseball Team assisted with the City of Azusa's Compost & Mulch Giveaway Event on April 5, 2025. During the event,
teammembers helped with the physical labor of placing compost and mulch into buckets for residents to transport in their vehicles over the course
ofseveral hours.
If you have photos from the event, please feel free to attach them here or email them directly to Taleen Nazarian at
taleen.nazarian@azusaca.gov.
Compost Mulch 6.jpg 343.33KB
Compost Mulch 5.jpg 215.74KB
Compost Mulch 4.jpg 308.67KB
Compost Mulch 3.jpg 369.69KB
Compost Mulch 2.jpg 289.48KB
Compost Mulch 1.jpg 292.37KB
Project Status
Select one:*
Complete In progress Other
Acknowledgement
By submitting this nomination, I confirm that the organization meets the eligibility criteria and that the grant, if awarded, will be used in
accordance with the guidelines of the City of Azusa Special Assistance Program.
Signature *Date *
06/18/2025